Calls for Fraternity Bans Grow After Cornell Sexual Assault Lawsuit

The aftermath of a lawsuit alleging sexual assault by members of Cornell University's Chi Phi fraternity has intensified calls for greater scrutiny of such organizations, with some advocating for outright bans.

The case, involving allegations of drugging and gang rape of a student by seven fraternity members in 2024, has garnered national attention following revelations that only two of the accused were expelled by the university. Both Cornell and local authorities have faced criticism for their response to the allegations.

Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff stated in a video message that the university would conduct a thorough review of the role fraternities and sororities play in campus life as part of broader efforts to enhance student safety. Protesters on campus have echoed the sentiment, chanting demands for fraternities to be banned.

Historian Nick Syrett, author of The Company He Keeps: A History of White College Fraternities, noted that incidents of sexual assault within fraternity houses, particularly involving incapacitated women, have a long history dating back to at least the 1970s and 1980s. "So it is not surprising that it has happened once again," Syrett told TIME.

Syrett explained that the single-sex nature of fraternities contributes to a unique environment that can foster problematic behavior. He described how the emphasis on masculinity, partying, drinking, and sexual conquest can be amplified within these organizations. "That is some fraternities' mandate that like people report who they've hooked up with, who they've had sex with, they talk about these things. It's a way to enhance masculinity," he said. Furthermore, many fraternities own their houses, which limits direct oversight from university officials.

While fraternities and sororities are typically recognized student organizations subject to certain rules regarding recruitment and social events, banning them entirely presents regulatory challenges. Syrett pointed out that when a university bans an organization, it forfeits its ability to regulate it directly. Fraternities may continue to operate independently, recognized by their national organizations and potentially still housing students, even if they are no longer officially sanctioned by the university. He cited an example at the University of Wisconsin where a fraternity, unrecognized by the university for a decade, was recently found by police to be engaging in illegal hazing.

Statistics suggest that men in fraternities are more likely to engage in sexual assault and hazing compared to their unaffiliated peers, though Syrett emphasized that this does not apply to all fraternity members. Binge drinking is also more prevalent among fraternity members. Syrett posited that individuals drawn to these behaviors may be more inclined to join fraternities, where such activities are often reinforced by older members.

The loyalty within fraternities, Syrett explained, is rooted in their historical origins as secret, often illegal, organizations. The pledging process, which can involve demeaning rituals and sometimes hazing, creates strong bonds among members. "So that creates a bond between the members of that pledge class and then the fraternity to which they are demonstrating their loyalty by being hazed and pledged in the first place," he said.

While banning fraternities may not eliminate issues like sexual assault, Syrett believes it could reduce organized instances of sexual assault and binge drinking, particularly those planned by groups of men. "There would be less pressure placed upon the men in these organizations to carry out these sorts of things," he noted.

Despite decades of scandals, fraternity membership remains resilient. Syrett attributed this to the significant alumni base that is often generous and influential, creating reluctance among universities to alienate them. Additionally, fraternities offer a sense of instant community and belonging, which can be particularly appealing to first-year students navigating a large and unfamiliar university environment. They also promise social status and access to parties, attracting young people who may be seeking popularity and an "in-group" identity.